Welcome to the Old Roan Association Guest Book.
Please remember to identify yourself at the end of your message and please provide your own e-mail address if you would like people who remember you to make contact directly.

My father Malcolm carpenter franks went to the school between 1942 and 1947 was captain of Collingwood house and represented Kent schools at football and cricket b4 becoming an analytical research chemist at British petroleum

Apr

17

Ann Brengelman

From California. Now Ann Gray. Attended Devonshire Dr 1968/69. Looking for girls who remember me. Is Julie Secker still in touch? ann@balconypress.com

Mar

5

Jacqueline Ellis

Hi there, have also just come across this web site. I remember you too Renée. How are you? What have you ended up doing? I also remember the wonderful productions with Val Pollock and Frank Hornblower. Those were happy memories and the parties...... which I think I did more of than anything else.

Dec

5

Stephen Nelson

OOOPS!
That should have read janfarmer27@gmail.com

Dec

5

Stephen Nelson

I've just heard that Jan Farmer is to start editing a new edition of the magazine. If you have any news, views or photos that would interest any other members please get in touch via janfarmer@gmail.com

Nov

30

patricia COOLE

Hello. I was at Roan 1960 to 67. Remember Janice Coleman and Marcia(?)
Am in touch with Carolyn Green and last met Jean Macdonald about 7 years ago I am now living in yorkshire

Oct

29

Derek Carter

To Harry Flack.
Just on the website after many months so just read your reply to my earlier reminiscences. Mr Cherckersle I do not recall. But I do recall that Trottier would hurl his wallet of keys at any boy being inattentive. & with deadly aim.
I don't think he'd get away with that these days. And you are correct in your observations re:Lepinniere & Milne.
This past week I had a lengthy phone chat with another of our classmates: Dr. David Hamblen, C.B.E. Do you remember him? He's fit like me but more so I suspect - but it's all relative at our age isn't it!!?
I was carrying on a correspondence with Dennis Leigh for a few years but he seems to have tired of that. He is a retired C.of.E. Reverend.
And several years ago now I was speaking a few times by phone with Frank Bulloch, the X-country champ. He lives in Canberra, Aus.. Then one day I called him because I hadn't heard from him for awhile & he told me he'd become a reclusive & didn't want contact with anyone. Strange to say the least!
We lost Burgess to a heart attack a couple of years back.
Regards.
Derek C (45-52)

Oct

28

Denise Barnstable

At Roan 1969-74. Ann Brengelman - I remember you very well. We did some kind of excursion into the woods (Epping Forest, perhaps?) and then performed a little play in the classroom. We wanted to be all American and use the term "Buster" but you said it wasn't polite! Living in Pennsylvania now. I have such fond memories of my time at Roan, and remember all the teachers you mentioned. I loved Miss Vincent, although she terrified me. Mrs. Pollock was my favourite and I still think of Mrs. Barker whenever I cook Yorkshire puddings!

Aug

12

Harry Flack

Many thanks to Derek carter. Sorry to be tardy in replying. You may also recall a Mr Checkersle, who had been in the commandoes. He had a 'short fuse' and a tendency to throw the Blackboard Rubber ( a heavy wooden one) at a pupil when provoked. he played in goal at various foot ball matches and was very fit. Mr Lupinierre (French) was hopeless in keeping order in class but Mr Milne (English ??) had only to walk into the room for complete silence .Every boy was on his feet as soon as he appeared.

Jul

24

David Clifton

Good news that the site is working now.

Jul

20

David Clifton

Why are there so many photos missing in Galleries. Or is it just my PC at fault. David Clifton.

Jul

17

Derek carter

Further, to Peter Walker
My e-m is drake2@rogers.com

Jul

17

Derek carter

Reply to Peter Walker msg. of Feb 10.
I am a 45-52 Roan Boy also but I don't recall your name. Were you a prefect? If so send me your e-m address & I'll send an annotated pic of we prefects taken in 1951 & you can identify yourself to me. You obviously did better than me in Lionel Berry's eyes. I had a place at Queen Mary College lined up for a Chemistry degree. However after the mock exams of 1952 I was very discouraged by Berry's evaluation & subsequently left school to become a Navigator with the RAF. After a couple of years I ended up spending all my working life in Aeronautical research, retiring in 1990.

Jul

17

Derek carter

In answer to Harry Fleck:
In 1945 I believe we had 8 houses. This was reduced before 1950 to 4 which were Nelson, Drake, Wolfe, &, I believe, Collingwood. I was a 1945-52 boy & was in Wolfe House.
In 1945 we had 2 female teachers due to wartime shortage of men. One was 'Old Ma' Craddock & the other teacher's name escapes me at this time. They seemed very old to me and very, very stern!!!
There are several Masters whose names don't seem to show up in correspondence or Mag articles. I'm thinking of Lepinniere (french), Harry Hall (German) who also organized the orchestra & from whom I bought the violin I have to this day. Also Trott(i)er (music), Dalzell (Art - preceding Eric Geddes), Davies (Physics) who I think had been a Commando in the war & imparted two maxims to our impressionable minds 1) You don't get punished for doing something - you get punished for being caught doing something! 2) Do unto others before they do unto you! Seems to me like good advice for a Commando!!
And who could forget 'Chips' Carpenter (Math) - such a nice man and old as the hills; so old that his degree was a BD in a Math Tripos from Cambridge. It was he that brought my maths ability to light enabling me to get an 'A' level after only 1 yr in the VIth, & which served me throughout my working life.
Others of my time at Roan and who are mentioned in the articles are Tommy Holt, 'Shag' Whitton, Lionel Berry, Messrs. Morey, Milne, & Peddie ('Yooou boy! Come herrrre', as he picked his nose in his gown covered in chalk!!)
And what was the name of the Woodworking teacher that was with 'Hoppy' Hopewell?
Happy Reminiscing!

Jun

25

Harry Flack

I was reading of the current House Names. I was at the Roan between 1945 and 1950. The names then were Nelson, Drake, Blake and Collingwopd, plus, I believe, two others which I do not recall. I began in class 3B. I have lived in Buckinghamshire since 1963 and married since 1957. Harry Flack